Rwanda Gorillas
4 Days
from
$3,264
to
$3,944
per person*
Highlights:
Rwanda
(Parc National des Volcans)
Trip Start/End:
Nairobi
/
Nairobi
In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat, are great, old volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest - the Virungas - home of the rare mountain gorilla. Drive from Kigali airport to the Park des Volcanoes where you will be based for your gorilla trek. A full day in the Virunga mountains gives you the opportunity to visit with mankind's closest relative. The mountain gorilla shares 97% of human DNA. On your second day at the park, seek the equally rare golden monkeys (or pay for an additional day of gorilla trekking). Option to visit the Dian Fossey's grave. Return on your final day for a city tour and visit to a genocide memorial. Enjoy as a standalone Africa vacation or as an addition to a safari.
NOTE: Gorilla permits are $750 for Rwanda and they are secured with you trip's deposit. Once secured they are non-refundable. It will take 24-48 hours to secure the purchase from the authorities as they are sold on a first come first served basis. The park authority/management reserves the right to cancel any permit without any refund or further reference.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Nairobi - Kigali - Parc National des Volcans
| - Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Nairobi - Kigali [Direct - KQ (1hr 30mins)] - Economy
- 1/2 Day City Tour & Genocide Museum - Game Van/Guide
- Transfer - Kigali - Parc National des Volcans [Drive (2.5hrs)] - Game Van/Guide
- Dinner (included)
| Mountain View Lodge
Cottage (B,L,D)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 2
- Parc National des Volcans
| - Gorilla Trek - Permit/Game Van/Guide
- Lunch (included)
- Dinner (included)
| Mountain View Lodge
Cottage (B,L,D)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 3
- Parc National des Volcans
| - Golden Monkey - Game Van/Guide
- Lunch (included)
- Dinner (included)
| Mountain View Lodge
Cottage (B,L,D)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 4
- Parc National des Volcans - Kigali
| - Transfer - Parc National des Volcans - Kigali [Drive (2.5 hrs)] - Game Van/Guide
- Air - Kigali - Nairobi [Direct - KQ (1hr 30mins)] - Economy
| Depart (Int`l Airport)
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Parc National des Volcans
Genocide Museum
Mountain View Lodge - Chalet
Day 1: Nairobi - Kigali - Parc National des Volcans
A privately driven vehicle will provide you with a transfer to & from the airport.
Take your flight from Nairobi to Kigali today. The flight duration is approximately 1hr 30mins.
Prepare your senses for an explosion of culture and emotion during today’s excursion through Kigali. Begin by visiting some of the popular market places to view and purchase if you’d like some of the local products. Next, you’ll travel to a location stained with heart aching cultural history, The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. This tragic memorial was constructed in April 2004 to honour those whom lost their lives during the Rwandan Genocide. The centre was built on the site where an estimated 250000 victims were buried. This location serves as a place where individuals can grieve the loss of their loved ones as well as to provide educational information regarding the genocide. Rwandans believe that although the gruesomeness and painful emotions associated with this tragedy may be construed as negative it is extremely important that the younger generations of Rwandans fully understand the reasons and effects of such an event on a nation. The Centre features three permanent exhibits which depict the events of 1994, as well as a children’s memorial which exhibits the history of genocidal violence towards children from all over the world.
Travel today between Kigali and Parc National des Volcans by private car and english speaking driver.
Accommodation: Mountain View Lodge The Mountain Gorilla View Lodge is the new mid range lodge in the area and is perfectly situated for gorilla tracking in Rwanda. The 30 individual cottages have been built on 4 acres of land on the slopes of Mt Sabinyo. The stone and thatch cottages each have ensuite facilities, a small lounge with a fire place and a private veranda. The cottages are of a good size and are well positioned to give them privacy from each other. There is a separate restaurant and bar area where meals served to the guests. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge provides good value for money at the same time as great views and easy access to Parc National des Volcans.
Mountain Gorilla
Day 2: Parc National des Volcans
The Park des Volcanoes is located in the Virunga Mountains, a magnificent chain of dormant volcanoes in the North of the country, and home to the world´s last surviving mountain Gorilla populations, currently a mere 700 individuals. A full day trek with your guide through the park is a reasonably strenuous activity which can last the morning or all day as you seek out the gorilla families. Viewing time is limited to one hour, and only 8 maximum are allowed per group. Visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7m (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. Kids under age 15, or people sick with a cold, flu or other contagious illness, are not allowed to visit the gorillas.
PERMITS MUST BE PAID IN FULL AT TIME OF CONFIRMATION AND ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
Accommodation: Mountain View Lodge 
Golden Monkeys
Day 3: Parc National des Volcans
Trekking through the national park to view the rare species of Golden Monkeys. Only open for visitors since June 2003, enjoy a rare treat watching these unique primates play and perform in the forest. (Optional extra day gorilla trekking - $500pp additional cost for day permit)
Accommodation: Mountain View Lodge Day 4: Parc National des Volcans - Kigali
A private vehicle with English speaking driver will provide a transfer today from Parc National des Volcans to Kigali. The approximate travel time is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Relax during this short flight departing Kigali, Rwanda and traveling to the urban hub of Nairobi, Kenya. The approximate flight time is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
- Mountain View Lodge - Chalet
Mountain View Lodge - Parc National des Volcans
The Mountain Gorilla View Lodge is the new mid range lodge in the area and is perfectly situated for gorilla tracking in Rwanda. The 30 individual cottages have been built on 4 acres of land on the slopes of Mt Sabinyo. The stone and thatch cottages each have ensuite facilities, a small lounge with a fire place and a private veranda. The cottages are of a good size and are well positioned to give them privacy from each other. There is a separate restaurant and bar area where meals served to the guests. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge provides good value for money at the same time as great views and easy access to Parc National des Volcans.
Travel Info
Travel tips of Rwanda
PASSPORT/VISA
A passport is required and evidence of yellow fever immunization is recommended. Citizens of the following countries DO NOT require a visa and may visit for up to 90 days:USA, Germany, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, Mauritius, South Africa, Kenya, Great Britain, Sweden, Singapore, Hong Kong and Burundi. Canadian citizens and all other nationalities must apply for a visa online and then pay for the visa upon arrival. A Tourist Visa costs approximately $70.
Please note obtaining a visa is your responsibility. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the embassy of Rwanda for the most up to date visa information.
NOTE: Only newly printed USD currency and local currency will be accepted in East Africa, any USD currency printed without the new security measures will not be accepted.
HEALTH
Health insurance is essential. Guests of Kensington Tours are covered by East African Flying Doctor Services included in the tour price. This coverage guarantees that any member injured or ill while on safari will be airlifted back to Nairobi to the international hospital. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/rwanda.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Kigali
Government: Republic since 1962. Gained independence from Belgium in 1962.
Language: The official languages are Kinyarwanda, French and English. Kiswahili is used for trade and commerce.
Religion: Animist (50%), Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) and an Islamic minority.
Time: GMT + 2.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Telephone: Country code +250. There are no area codes.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies.
Internet: There are Internet cafes in Kigali, including one at the airport.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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